Maïmouna Hélène Diarra, also Helena Diarra (1955 – June 10, 2021) was a Malian actress known for playing the roles of older women from her young age. She was the CEO of the International Fund for the Development of Active Retirement. She also was the Vice President of the Professional Association of Decentralized Financial Systems of Côte d'Ivoire.
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Early life and education
Diarra was born in 1955 in Segou, Mali but was orphaned at an early age and raised by her uncles and grandmother. In 1975, she was admitted into the National Pedagogical Institute for a Diploma of Fundamental Studies in the teaching profession. Between 1975 and 1977 she played for the Bamako Reds women's basketball team. In 1981, she obtained a diploma in theatre arts at the National Arts Institute.
Career
In 2000, she was featured as "Aminate" in Michael Haneke's drama film, Code Unknown. Other cast include: Aïssa Maïga, Juliette Binoche, Thierry Neuvic, Josef Bierbichler and others.
In 2004, she was featured in Ousmane Sembène's Bambara language film, Moolaadé, playing the role of "Hadjatou". Other cast include: Fatoumata Coulibaly and Salimata Traoré. The film was presented at the 2007 Ebertfest. It was nominated for a "Best Film" award at the Cannes Film Festival.
In 2006, she starred in Abderrahmane Sissako's drama film, Bamako, in which she played the role of "Saramba". Other cast featured include: Aïssa Maïga and Tiécoura Traoré.
Death
Diarra died on 10 June 2021 at the CHU Mère-Enfant Le Luxembourg hospital in Bamako and was buried at the Hamdallaye cemetery.
